Health policy wonk, political tragic, hiking & skiing nut. Sydney 🇦🇺 and Keystone 🇺🇸https://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mmgdckea5c2bFinally! https://www.healthservicesdaily.com.au/feds-unveil-10-year-research-strategy-and-508m-mrff-boost/45932 (paywall) @croakeynews.bsky.social22 May 2026 06:41 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmgdckea5c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mm7axfwxmc2uW.H.O. Chief Is ‘Deeply Concerned’ by Speed and Scale of Ebola Outbreak as Cases Rise The warning came shortly after Congo officials reported more than 130 suspected deaths and 513 cases, a sharp rise since the outbreak was first reported over the weekend. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/world/africa/ebola-outbreak-deaths-congo-who.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share19 May 2026 11:10 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7axfwxmc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mm76vkunz22v“In France, you have to return them to designated areas and if you don’t, you get fined €25 [about $42] from your credit card automatically. Here, they’re operating with complete impunity.” https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-suburban-lime-bike-wave-and-the-battle-for-sydney-s-footpaths-20260515-p5zxe9.html19 May 2026 10:33 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm76vkunz22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mm2atllaps2rIs France really poorer than Mississippi? Can you measure what makes life better (and don’t forget healthcare and childcare)? As someone who visits both France and US regularly, I know where I’d sooner be. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/05/17/europe-has-grandeur-america-has-economic-abundance/17 May 2026 11:25 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm2atllaps2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlzqtdyp6k2rhttps://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/fifty-years-ago-these-men-set-out-to-defeat-an-insidious-disease-a-fortnight-ago-they-did-20260511-p5zvn7.html17 May 2026 06:38 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlzqtdyp6k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mly7vug46k2hA person has died of diphtheria in the Northern Territory. This is Australia’s first reported diphtheria death since 2018. https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/diphtheria-death-in-australia-prompts-vaccination-warning/16 May 2026 16:03 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mly7vug46k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlvjlplpwk2xHealth officials raise alarm over new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 246 suspected Ebola cases and 65 deaths in the Ituri province in the northeast of DR Congo. https://share.google/27SmqTo233Ewp0PMF15 May 2026 14:18 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvjlplpwk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlvdwulkes2jA busy day in Paris. The best petit dejeuner at Cafe Charlot, then metro to Fournil Didot (14arr) recently recognised as producer of best baguette in Paris. Sandwiches purchased for picnic lunch in Luxembourg Gardens. Walked back to Marais via Notre Dame where external work continues. Le meilleur!15 May 2026 12:37 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvdwulkes2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mltpf7oxzs2fAnd if you want more hiking ideas: Hiking guide: The world’s best hikes and when to do them, month by month https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/the-world-s-12-greatest-hikes-plus-five-here-and-the-best-time-to-tackle-them-20260507-p5zuuh.html [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 May 2026 20:56 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltpf7oxzs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlqlu56ir22jOur last day #DordogneHike spent in Perigueux, the region's capitol. The city dates back to Roman times and the heart of the old city is a maze of fascinatimg lanes and buildings.13 May 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqlu56ir22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlo6aeuwlk2gGood news! 2026-27 Budget announces annual funding from MRFF will rise from current $650m to $1b by 2030–31. Finally! But why not full disbursement sooner when funds are there? (Contingent on finalisation of National Health and Medical Research Strategy, due imminently) @croakeynews.bsky.social12 May 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlo6aeuwlk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlnydfagfs2gWhy am I reading budget papers and analyses on #DordogneHike holiday? [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 May 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnydfagfs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlnyak4cy22gA forensic analysis of the Albanese Government’s 2026-2027 Budget. As I predicted, not much to celebrate, no indication of needed reforms down the road. https://www.croakey.org/budget-2026-27-analysis-urgent-care-public-dental-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health/12 May 2026 14:19 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnyak4cy22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlnpfstbyc2jMost of cave paintings in Lascaux are around 20,000 yrs old; the Font de Gaume paintings (less dramatic) are from 16-17,000 yrs ago. Yet in Australia Aboriginal artists were drawing and painting in similar vein up to 40,000 yrs earlier. Gives you great respect for the world's oldest culture. [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 May 2026 11:41 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnpfstbyc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlnoz6fo5k2jIn Montignac. Today we walked to Lascaux IV, just outside the town. An amazing presentation, even better than Lascaux II, which is still open. In the Lascaux atelier there is the chance to photograph recreated paintings. #DordogneHike12 May 2026 11:34 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnoz6fo5k2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlljvyd3qc2eAfter inspecting market day offerings, we headed out of Les Eyzies for Roque St Christoph and the - highlight of the #DordogneHike trip - along to Rue de Prehistoire to St Leon-sur-Vezere, where I live briefly, in a glorious chateau, in the 1970s.11 May 2026 14:57 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlljvyd3qc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlljfcxatk2eBruce writes: "On our hiking in the Dordogne the past 10 days, this is my Monet moment - a field in the village of Saint Leon de Vezere, where Lesley lived many years ago. Almost a painting."11 May 2026 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlljfcxatk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mljk3vxunk2qGood night / bon soir de Les Eyzies - not just a great sunset but also a rainbow. #DordogneHike10 May 2026 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mljk3vxunk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlixwvmt4s2qA relatively lazy day in Les Ezies - just 10 km exploring the Vezere River, a swim in our hotel piscine and then the neolithic art of Font de Gaume. #DordogneHike10 May 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlixwvmt4s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlhzx2t54k2thttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2502606-antarctic-glaciers-alarming-retreat-is-the-fastest-ever-seen/10 May 2026 05:33 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlhzx2t54k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlgh2iqevk2oA lovely day hiking in gorgeous weather from St Cyprien to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. 13km through forests, farmland, small villages. #DordogneHike09 May 2026 14:23 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgh2iqevk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mlfjlexqw22oGood morning from La Roque-Gageac! #DordogneHiking09 May 2026 05:35 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlfjlexqw22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/lrussellwolpe.bsky.social/post/3mle27m6wc22oWe braved French traffic to walk the road from La Roque-Gageac to the splendid Marquessac Chateau and Gardens, perched on a rocky spur. Spectacular views to castles we visited yesterday and down Dordogne River. #DordogneHike08 May 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:ch5hpytc5dexl2srdc22bpfg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle27m6wc22o